Jan 10 Boerne, Farm-to-Table: Meet the People Who Make It Happen!

What if I told you it is totally possible to buy straight from the source here in Boerne, bringing farm-to-table freshness (and all the health benefits that entails) to your family while also supporting-our neighbors-the local growers and makers? Sounds amazing, right? Well, today I would like to introduce you to three different local small businesses that can help you do just that! I managed to steal a bit of their time to ask them each a few questions and you'll find all the details below. First up,

Beth: The Farm Connection is a community-based buyer’s club that started, really, with a desire to nourish my family with the healthiest, most natural ingredients possible. It started with a Meet-Up group I established upon moving to San Antonio, then quickly became a process of buying fresh foods in bulk from local farmers, and selling them out of my garage. When it became too large of an "operation”, I decided it was time to make it an official Buying Club. What started out as a group of 135 members has blossomed into a membership of almost 500 families in less than two years!

SS: What do you make/offer and what do you feel is special about it?

Beth: The Farm Connection offers only the highest quality, local, farm fresh products. We have the highest standards and that is what sets us apart. We do the intensive research and sourcing for you, so you don't have to. We offer meat, eggs, cheese, yogurt, raw milk and juices, produce, garlic, olive oil and spices, granola, honey, tamales and tortillas, and so much more.

SS: What does a typical day look like for you?

Beth: Lucky for me, my days are never dull. I spend a great deal of time on the computer placing orders, researching products, updating what we'll have to offer for the week, speaking with farmers, etc. The fun part is when I'm able to see it all come together during the pick-up hours at the San Antonio or Boerne stores. I love the community feel and the opportunity to speak with and learn from our members.

SS: What’s your favorite part about what you do?

Beth: I feel so fortunate to be able to do what I am so passionate about: supporting our local farming community while providing a much-needed service to San Antonio and Boerne.

Jessica: The Lord first; He directs my steps every hour. He knows the recipes, I just follow his directions! Then there’s myself and Brady. He runs the farm, runs to the grocery store, coordinates business at work and at home, and somehow takes care of all of us (six crazy, different independent kids!) and the animals.

SS: What do you make/offer and what do you feel is special about it?

Jessica: I make organic fermented sourdough breads, the way the Lord originally intended bread to be made. Using yeast in bread became widely popular to speed up the process of training bakery interns back in the day, but the baking industry has ruined the idea of bread because of it. Sourdough breaks down the gluten for us over a several-day process. Many gluten sensitive people can easily enjoy sourdough bread.

SS: What does a typical day look like for you?

Jessica: We spend the morning outdoors feeding and checking on the animals, collecting eggs, hiking, swimming, and climbing. Once we make it back inside, I usually get to baking for the day.

SS: What’s your favorite part about what you do?

Jessica: That working out of my own kitchen allows me to also focus on providing home-cooked, home-grown organic meals for my family. And dedicating my time to the ongoing tasks of kitchen homesteading, canning, preserving, broth making, meat processing, washing hundreds of eggs, cheese making, fermenting, winemaking…everything from scratch! I spend most of my time in the kitchen, but I’m thankful to be able to feed and provide for my family in this way.

Jessica: In 2018, we are looking forward to expanding our farming endeavors with a hoop house, increasing egg production, and streamlining the bakery operation with a commercial kitchen. And baby goats!

Who doesn't love baby goats?? (And now I'm off to Google "hoop house"...shhhh)

Brittany: We are Jeremy & Brittany Spengler, and we both share a strong love for faith, family and wholesome, homegrown, from-scratch food. We are blessed to have the help of our four young children, whose futures keep us striving to help make this world a better place.

SS: What do you make/offer and what do you feel is special about it?

Brittany: Spengler Farmstead started its journey in 2015, selling bread at the local farmer's market. Since then we've evolved into what some may see as a small-scale Delikatessen, now offering a variety of prepared food products like breads, kolaches, pickles, preserves and much more. We are a two-acre farmstead, implementing a Permaculture farming model, growing seasonal vegetables that we use in all our products. We also use this system to raise quail, ducks, chickens, pigs, and one mini-horse! We grow our garden using only natural fertilization, trap cropping, and plucking weeds by hand. We raise our animals as natural as possible, without unnecessary antibiotics and vaccines, but with a whole lotta love, fresh feed, water and sunshine! In our kitchen we strive to keep our ingredients simple, pure, and most importantly fresh, locally sourced, and produced by Texans. Feeding people is our way of sharing our love for this life and for others!

SS: What does a typical day look like for you?

Brittany: Our day typically involves waking up, making breakfast, heading outside to take care of the animals and garden, then back inside mid-morning to start our studies for the day. In the afternoons, you can find us playing outside, harvesting, tucking the animals away, and preparing our family's dinner together.

SS: What’s your favorite part about what you do?

Brittany: Being able to share our passion for family, farming, and food with our community, family, and friends. We are completely humbled each season by the support that is shown to us!

SS: Where can we find you and your delicious goods?

Brittany: At The Farmer's Market at the Cibolo in Boerne and road-side at the intersection of School Street & FM 1376 (Sisterdale Hwy) during the off season. Keep an eye on the Instagram page for details on dates and times for those road-side set-ups.

SS: What are you most looking forward to in 2018?

Brittany: 2018 is bringing a lot of exciting changes to our farm stand and business that we'll be prepared to debut through our Instagram page over the next month or so. Be sure you follow us there or check in every once in a while to see all of the exciting news!

You bet, Brittany. Gotta know exactly where I can find more of that cowboy candy and those delicious tamales when my stocks run low!

Who knew Boerne had so much to offer in the way of fresh, farm-to-table food, right? Well, if you've been to the Farmer's Market at the Cibolo, it probably comes as no surprise but where do you turn during the off season for the market? Definitely keep these folks in mind the next time you’re making your grocery list and maybe stop on by The Farm Connection when you can to see for yourself what it’s all about. Knowing where your food comes from is important and buying local is good in so many ways, for all of us! Cheers to a New Year and all the fresh opportunities it brings!

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NOTE: All photos in this post are courtesy of The Farm Connection, Hill Country Homestead, and Spengler Farmstead!